Our Coast, Our Sea - Project starts a year of activity

6 October 2010

The Druridge Bay Partnership are keen to actively involve local communities and individuals in developing its ‘Coal and Coast Project’ over the next year. The Project has been successful in attracting a Heritage Lottery Fund grant for this work which, if successful, would release £1.8 million of HLF funding for a five-year delivery programme.

This five-year programme will focus on key themes of managing the landscape to increase biodiversity and resilience against climate change, while connecting communities with this landscape through events, interpretation, training and volunteering.

The Development Phase of the Project starts with an official launch event at Druridge Bay Country Park from 11am on Sunday 10 October, and includes many of the partners including Northumberland Wildlife Trust, the County Council, Natural England and local Development Trusts.

Steve Scoffin, the Partnership’s Druridge Bay Development Manager said: “Involving people and communities in shaping these projects is critical to their success. No matter the depth of knowledge and expertise that exists within the Partnership, what’s really important is that we develop and deliver projects that make a real change on the ground – that has to involve people who live and work in the area, and those who come to enjoy it.”

He continued: “We’re looking for comments on a range of outline projects proposals, and ways these could be developed to meet the needs of the communities – but we’re also looking for ideas that would add further value to a landscape that underpins habitat restoration and development, and sustains communities and the rural economy”

The Launch Event will also start the Druridge Bay Photographic Competition, with the help of Amble Photographic Group. The competition will run until July next year, with categories of People, Place, Heritage and Wildlife.